Charley Hull should make bets with her boyfriend more often.
The 28-year-old was in fine form during the first round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, where her score of six-under 64 has her tied for the lead with South Korea’s Jiwon Jeon.
But had it not been for a cheeky wager made just ten minutes before she teed off, Hull may not have performed the way she did.
Hull revealed her boyfriend would add on a day to their upcoming European holiday for every five birdies she made.
Well, Hull’s partner will have to open the wallet once more.
Starting on the back nine, Hull immediately opened her first round with a birdie.
Hull then enjoyed a sensational run when she carded birdies on the 14th, 15th, 18th and 1st holes.
Her only wobble was a bogey on the 17th, but it did little to halt her momentum at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
Hull hit two more birdies on the 7th and 8th holes to end her day with a highly impressive score of 64.
“I was trying to make 10 birdies,” Hull said after her first round.
“Hopefully I’ll have more over the weekend, and I’ll have a two-week holiday at the end of the year.”
It’s not the first time Hull’s boyfriend has dangled the carrot of a bet to improve her performance.
During a Ladies European Tour (LET) event in Saudi Arabia a number of weeks ago, Hull’s partner gave her a call before her final round.
He was convinced the 28-year-old would be three-under after the opening three holes.
Although Hull didn’t come flying out of the gates that fast, it helped spur her on to win her first trophy in two years as she finished with an impressive six-under 66.
With the win in Saudi Arabia and a first round brimming with birdies at Pelican, Hull believes it’s finally all coming together.
“I feel like I’ve been playing very, very well all year,” Hull said.
“Sometimes you just forget how to win. So that’s kind of reminded me how to win.”
However, Hull will have to maintain her high level of performance if she is to win at Pelican given how close the trailing pack is.
Scottish golfer Gemma Dryburgh and Mi Hyang Lee are one stroke behind, while six stars, including world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Australian two-time major winner Minjee Lee, are tied for fifth with a score of four-under.
But given Hull has not finished outside the top 20 from her last four events on the LPGA Tour, you’d be silly to bet against her from securing another trophy.
